Billionaire's Forbidden Bride

The first time Isabella Hart met Adrian Blackwood, he offered her money to become his wife.The second time he spoke, he warned her never to fall in love with him.By the third time, she wanted to slap him.Unfortunately, the billionaire was also the only person who could save her mother."Are you always this rude, or is today a special occasion?" Isabella asked.Adrian looked up from the contract on his desk. His dark eyes moved over her face before he leaned back in his chair."Are you always this difficult, or do you make exceptions for people who are about to pay your bills?"Isabella stared at him.He was infuriatingly handsome, dressed in an expensive black suit, with a sharp jaw and an expression that suggested the world existed to obey him.His attitude, however, was unbearable."I'm here because your lawyer said you could help my mother," she replied. "Not because I enjoy sitting in rooms with arrogant men.""Then we're both disappointed. I don't enjoy desperate women either."She grabbed her handbag."Wonderful. Goodbye.""Your mother's surgery costs forty-eight thousand dollars."Isabella stopped.Adrian opened a folder."Her condition is worsening. The hospital has postponed the surgery twice because of unpaid bills. You've borrowed from relatives and sold your mother's jewelry, but you still don't have enough."Her fingers tightened around her handbag."How do you know all that?""I have people who investigate things.""You mean people who invade other people's privacy.""I mean people who get results."She hated him already."Just tell me why you asked to see me."Adrian closed the folder."I need a wife."For several seconds, Isabella said nothing.Then she laughed."You're serious?""Completely.""You're a billionaire. You could marry almost anyone.""Exactly.""Then go and marry one of those women who spend their days taking pictures beside swimming pools."Amusement flickered across his face."I don't need a woman who wants my money. I need a woman who can help me keep it."He pushed the contract toward her."My grandfather's will contains a condition. I must be legally married before my thirtieth birthday, which is six weeks away. Otherwise, controlling ownership of Blackwood International goes to my uncle.""And you couldn't find a woman willing to marry you?""I found several.""What's wrong with them?""They wanted a real marriage."Isabella blinked."And you don't?""No."At least he was honest.Adrian continued. "The arrangement will last twelve months. You'll live in my house, attend family events with me, and behave like my wife in public. I'll pay your mother's medical expenses, clear your outstanding debts, and give you five hundred thousand dollars when the contract ends."Isabella stared at the document.Five hundred thousand dollars.She could pay the hospital, settle the debts, and finish her education without worrying about money.She could give her mother the life she deserved.But there was a catch."I don't even know you.""You don't need to.""What if you're a terrible husband?""We won't be having a real marriage.""What if I hate you?""That would make two of us."She glared at him."Three rules," he said. "You will never reveal our arrangement. You will not interfere in my private affairs. And you will never fall in love with me."Isabella burst out laughing."Trust me, Mr. Blackwood. That last rule won't be difficult.""Good.""You're not exactly charming.""I wasn't trying to be."She picked up the contract and scanned the pages.One sentence caught her attention.Neither party shall pursue a romantic relationship with the other.She looked up."Are you afraid of falling in love with your own wife?"Adrian's expression changed.It was subtle, but she noticed.For the first time, she had touched a nerve."Love is an unnecessary complication," he said."That's something a man who's been hurt would say."His eyes hardened."And that's something a woman who knows nothing about me should never say."Before she could respond, her phone vibrated.A message from the hospital appeared.URGENT: YOUR MOTHER'S CONDITION HAS DETERIORATED. PLEASE CONTACT THE DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY.Her heart dropped.She called the hospital and spoke to the doctor."We need to perform the surgery as soon as possible," he explained. "We cannot continue postponing it.""Please give me more time," she whispered."We've given you as much time as we can."The call ended.Isabella lowered her phone, struggling to hold back tears.Adrian watched her silently."How soon can you arrange the payment?" she asked."Immediately after you sign.""And you'll cover every hospital expense?""Every necessary expense.""Even if it costs more than you've estimated?""Yes."She studied him."Why me?""Because you're suitable. You have no connections to the business world, and your reputation won't attract unnecessary attention.""So I'm convenient.""You're suitable," he repeated."That's a very romantic way to describe your future wife.""I'm not offering romance, Isabella.""I noticed."She picked up the pen.She thought about her mother, who had sacrificed everything to raise her after her father's death.Now it was Isabella's turn to make a sacrifice.She signed her name.ISABELLA HART.Adrian signed beneath hers."Congratulations, Mrs. Blackwood."The words sounded strange.She stood abruptly."Don't call me that yet. We haven't even had a wedding.""The ceremony is tomorrow."Her eyes widened."Tomorrow?""I don't like wasting time.""You planned a wedding before asking me to marry you?""I anticipated your decision.""And what if I'd said no?""I would have found another solution."She hated his confidence.She hated even more that she had no better option.Adrian walked around his desk and held out his hand."Shall we?""Where?""Home. Our home, for the next twelve months."She reluctantly placed her hand in his.His fingers closed around hers, and for one strange moment, neither spoke.His gaze dropped briefly to her lips before returning to her eyes.Then he released her."My family must believe this marriage is real," he explained. "Especially my grandmother. She won't accept a marriage that looks like a business arrangement.""So you want me to pretend to love you?""I want you to behave like a woman who married a man she intends to keep."Isabella lifted her chin."And what if I decide to make your life miserable?"For the first time, Adrian smiled."Then, Mrs. Blackwood, we'll have an interesting year."She turned toward the door."Make sure my mother's surgery is arranged.""It will be.""And Adrian?"He looked at her."I may have signed your contract, but that doesn't mean you own me."His smile disappeared."Good. The last woman who tried to own me nearly destroyed my life."Before Isabella could ask what he meant, his phone rang.He answered impatiently."What?"A man's voice spoke urgently."Sir, we found the woman who sent the photographs.""Where is she?""She's been asking about your new wife."Adrian went completely still.Isabella frowned."What photographs?"He lowered his phone and stared at her."Isabella, listen carefully. Whatever happens, do not trust anyone in my family."Her stomach tightened."Why?"His phone vibrated again.A photograph appeared on the screen. It showed Isabella standing outside her mother's hospital room earlier that morning.On the back was a message.YOU SHOULD HAVE LEFT HER TO DIE. NOW YOU'VE MARRIED THE WRONG MAN.Isabella's blood ran cold."What does this mean?"Adrian stared at the photograph.Then he looked at her."Someone has been waiting for you to become my wife."He stepped closer, his expression suddenly serious."And whoever it is has just declared war on our marriage."